GWM Tank 500 2024 News

Many so-called “all-new” models aren’t all that new. In fact, a sizeable chunk are reskinned versions of what came before, with fresh sheetmetal over the same general hard points.

Chinese carmakers are on the march, with sales growing globally and in Australia.

GWM is having a near range-wide sale with between $1000 and $6000 cut from drive-away prices until the end of the year. Additionally, the majority of discounted cars sold between now and November 8 get their three first scheduled services thrown in for free, valued between $297-$1870. The only exceptions are the Jolion Premium and Lux grades.Anyone who purchases GWM’s only battery electric car, the Ora, also gets a free charging station installation thrown in, valued at $1690. What’s the reason? Well, like BYD, MG and others with big offers on the table, it's partially about sales bragging rights but mostly clearing excess stock. GWM is on track for a record-breaking sales year in 2024, up 21.8 per cent having delivered 35,143 new cars. In October, it was in 10th spot, just shy of Nissan (37,710) and with a few strong months to round the year out, it could climb into ninth place.The new Cannon Alpha now starts at $49,990 drive-away with a $2000 discount on both the 135kW/480Nm diesel and unique 255kW/546Nm plugless hybrid version. Its smaller Cannon ute sibling with its smaller 120kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel can be had from as little as $35,490 drive-away, a $3500 discount, while the blacked-out Vanta black-pack is $5000 more affordable at $42,490. The related Tank 300 Jeep Wrangler-rivalling off-roader now wades in at $45,990 ($2000 off) while the hybrid versions get $5000 knocked off the sticker, as low as $50,990 for the Lux. The only model to miss a straight discount is the Tank 500, though it still gets $1870 worth of scheduled servicing thrown in. GWM’s Haval SUV range includes a Kia Seltos challenger, the Jolion, which can be had for up to $3000 less in petrol guise, handily undercutting a Mitsubishi ASX at $23,990 drive-away.The larger H6 is also on offer with up to $3500 off the hybrid version, meaning the rival to Toyota’s in-demand RAV4 can be as low as $38,990 on-the-road. A petrol version can be had for $30,990 drive-away. Finally, the Ora electric car nearly makes its way as low as the MG4, with $2000 knocked off the Standard Range guise making it $33,990. The Extended Range gets a tantalising $6000 lopped from the price at $34,990 — plus a free home charging station.

The much-anticipated Toyota LandCruiser FJ ‘baby’ four-wheel-drive wagon hasn’t even been revealed yet, but its biggest threat is already looming for Australia. Expected sometime next year, and said to be called the Leopard 5 (or maybe Leopard Seal 5 if the brand’s fascination with sea animal names continues), it is BYD’s international version of the Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5.

Haval's off-road flagship gets a price-tag in its Chinese home-market, but would the seven-seat SUV work with a petrol engine at this price?

GWM is preparing to introduce two new plug-in hybrid models to take on some of the most popular names in the Australian car market.

GWM and its Haval SUV sub-brand are on a product offensive. The Chinese brand launched Australia's first hybrid ute earlier this year and is now looking to shore up its local range with more models. Leaked details suggest the Prado-rivalling GWM Tank 300 off-roader will score a diesel engine. 

Two new three-row family-friendly SUVs from China have been awarded five stars in ANCAP safety testing. The GWM Tank 500 frame-based large three-row SUV and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max monocoque seven-seater both scored maximum stars. GWM’s off-roader was given extra praise for its record 93 per cent score in the strict 2023-2025 Child Occupant Protection criteria thanks to its direct child presence detection system. More than just weight on a seat or cameras, the system is said to be able to detect physical and respiratory movements to warn if an occupant has been locked inside the vehicle. It can either beep or send a notification to your phone if that's the case.“Our protocols encourage the fitment of direct child presence detection systems in an effort to reduce instances where children are inadvertently left in a car,” said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg. “The CPD system fitted to the GWM Tank 500 is one of the more advanced systems assessed by ANCAP so far, and it's great to see manufacturers implementing this potentially life-saving technology,” Ms Hoorweg added.In the remaining categories, the GWM Tank 500 scored 85 per cent in Adult Occupant Protection, 81 per cent in Vulnerable Road User and 84 per cent in Safety Assist. The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max was also awarded five stars with consistent results across the board. It joins Chery’s already five-star Tiggo 7 Pro medium SUV and Omoda 5 small SUV.“Chery’s latest offering adds to their current five-star SUV line-up, with safer options for buyers,” said Ms Hoorweg.And it’s no surprise the 7 and 8 were rated the same, as the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max was given its score on ANCAP’s partner program. This is when mechanically related vehicles share a score. Twins under the skin like the Kia Rio/Stonic fall under this program.This is despite the Tiggo 8 Pro Max having a 50mm longer wheelbase, 207mm longer body and two extra seats compared to the Tiggo 7 Pro. ANCAP told CarsGuide that the only additional test was for pedestrian impact safety.The Tiggo 8 Pro Max scored 88 per cent in Adult Occupant, 87 per cent in Child Occupant, 79 per cent in Vulnerable Road User and 86 per cent for Safety Assist. ANCAP’s literature lists 10 airbags , the same number as in the Tiggo 7 Pro. Those are dual frontal, side chest-protecting, side head-protecting (1st & 2nd row) airbags, a driver’s knee and centre airbags. We observed that the Tiggo 8 Pro Max’s side curtain airbags did not appear to offer full third row coverage, however. There are no top tether anchors in the GWM Tank 500 or Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max’s third rows, and ANCAP recommends that “these seating positions are therefore not suitable for transporting young children".

The newly-released Tank 500 HEV (hybrid) going up against the Toyota Prado and LandCruiser as well as the Nissan Patrol with their rusted-on reputations for reliability and durability, how tricky is it for a relatively unknown and untested brand to break through with extremely brand-loyal 4WD-wagon buyers?

Where is the Tank 500 in diesel, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and twin-turbo V6 petrol guises, and why has GWM launched only with a hybrid for now? Right now, only the segment-leading hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is offered in Australia and New Zealand, powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine and electric motor combination delivering 255kW of power and 648Nm of torque.